lyh1 of the HK talk.transformers newsgroup posted the first images (of prototypes) of Takara-Tomy's Trans-Scanning figures.

Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime
Trans-Scanning Bumblebee

Looks like both use the same protoform model. So, we have confirmation on function. Protoform frame can transform to an entry mode. Armor pieces form vehicle mode, which snap onto protoform robot mode to create Earth robot mode.

 

They look pants!

 

Those look awesome. Definently glad I preordered the Prime as he looks totally wicked.

Do we know the sizes on these guys at all in comparison to the other movie toys?

 

zomg deluxe pretenders!

 

Sorry, but I'm not impressed at all. The protoform bots are the same, the entry mode looks awful, the earth-mode robots are kibble-tastic, and look nothing like the characters. They can stay in Japan for all I care.

 

Wow...those are horrible. Pass.

 

Very...different. Not really feeling the armorless robot mode, but the whole idea is such an original take on Transformers, and it's well-executed enough for me to definitely buy these.

 

Nice concept, shite execution. Though Prime MIGHT be saved if you can remove most of the kibble, and if it isn't all interlinked with screws and such.

 

I think I'll hold off on them for now. They look cool, but I'd rather wait and read some hands-on reviews first.

 

 

not bad, cool idea but no interest.

 

Do they tranform the same for both entry and vehicle mode

 

I kinda dig them, now that I can make out some of the figure. Prime in particular. I get a very Big Convoy if Big Convoy decided he wanted to be a semi instead of a Mammoth for a day sort of vibe in his kibble-tastic robot mode there.

I'll probably have to find a way to nab them.

 

For 4200 yen, pass. If I see them stateside at a voyager pricepoint, I'd probably bite.

I lurves me some Pretenders, especially since they creep out the GF.

 

I need better pictures and a little bit of insight before I can come to any opinion on these guys. The idea is cool, and the "deluxe pretenders" notion makes me smile, but I'll have to see how these turn out.

 

Hmm. I want to see them in color after they finish the prototyping.
Interesting idea, but I think I'd want them more for kitbashing then anything else.

 

We may have our answer within those links. If you look at the complete images in the links, the solicitations (towards the bottom of those images) have a "JAPAN ONLY" stamp. I, of course, can't read all of the Japanese text. So, my guess is that "JAPAN ONLY" means one of two things....

1. These are Japanese/TakaraTomy exclusives

or

2. This specific solicitation is only open to vendors in Japan

I can't confirm either way, so we don't have a confirmed answer yet (duh). Considered we haven't seen any leaks yet on auction sites of these figures (while we've seen other 2008 releases for Hasbro), I'm siding on this being a Japanese exclusive. I hope I'm proven wrong though.

 

Man......Those things make Alt Tracks look like he has no kibble at all.

 

So...how has the best pre-order price? Who's gonna get more of my money?

 

snap on transformers? So does it mean that Bumblebee and Prime looked the same? Maybe their twins after all. I was hoping for a different take on this but nah... I wont be suckered into buying this stuff again. I'm saving my money on something else.

 

Interesting, but not executed well at all. Way too much kibble for my liking.